Jesse Metcalfe and Cara Santana are engaged

The actor had previously praised Santana for changing his life

Jesse Metcalfe and Cara Santana are officially engaged. The Desperate Housewives actor proposed to Santana in New York’s Hudson River while riding on a sailboat as the two celebrated her birthday.

Metcalfe told Us Weekly: “It’s been a long time coming, but we couldn’t be happier.”

The couple has been together for more than 10 years and it took them a while to build a relationship.

He had previously shared: “I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight. It was more of a slow burn, which I think is a better start for a relationship. I think if it comes on fast and furious, it generally fizzles out just as fast. We were slow and steady.”

The 33-year-old actress also added: “We took the time to get to know each other. We’ve known each other for, like, 10 years.”

However, they had previously denied reports of an engagement back in 2014, stating: “You know what, I’m not engaged. That’s some misinformation. I swear to God man, that’s some misinformation that has been floating around out there.”

Nevertheless, Metcalfe had admitted that marriage was a real possibility in the future.

“That’s not to say we won’t get engaged and won’t get married, it seems to be going in that direction, but not yet. It’s crazy because it’s not like I don’t have enough pressure to get engaged every day.

It will take a bit of specialness away from the moment when we finally do,” he said.

He also thanked his girlfriend for changing his life, adding: “She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. She has opened my life up in so many ways.”